Big hitters fight for poll position in council vote

Political big hitters across the region are lining up to defend their seats in next month’s council elections. Three council leaders are among those running, as well as the chairman of Greater Manchester Police Authority.

Political big hitters across the region are lining up to defend their seats in next month’s council elections.

Three council leaders are among those running, as well as the chairman of Greater Manchester Police Authority.

Several of Salford’s mayoral candidates are campaigning to become or remain councillors.

A string of Greater Manchester’s political movers and shakers are expected to be on the list of those standing, which will be formally confirmed later this week.

Manchester council leader Sir Richard Leese is up for re-election in Crumpsall, while fellow Labour veteran – and city centre spokesman – Pat Karney is defending Harpurhey.

The city’s Lib Dem leader Marc Ramsbottom is standing in his city-centre seat.

His rivals include former Lib Dem councillor Ken Dobson, who used to to hold the seat until 2010 – when he quit following the formation of the party’s national coalition with the Conservatives. He is now standing as an independent.